5 Sportspersons Who Deserve The Bharat Ratna

Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award in India, is presented to a person who has excelled in fields like arts, literature, science, public service. The term Bharat Ratna means ‘Jewel of India’, a person who has been of immense value to the country. And there have been innumerable people who have excelled in their respective fields and brought glory to the country. Sachin Tendulkar becoming the first sportsperson to win this respectable award, opens up a big untouched territory where sportspeople are waiting to be recognized. Yes, Arjuna Award is conferred upon deserving sportspeople to encourage sports in the country, but there are athletes who have achieved great heights in their respective sport. Let’s check out five sportspersons who deserve a Bharat Ratna for the laurels they have achieved for the country.

Dhyan Chand

Hands down, by far the most deserving sportsperson in India who should have won the Bharat Ratna long time back. Dhyan Chand was considered as the best field hockey player back in 1930s. Dhyan Chand played at forward position and was a part of the Indian hockey team in three Olympics. From the 1928 Amsterdam Games to the 1936 Berlin Games, India was invincible because of Chand’s amazing temperament towards the game. Recently ‘the Flying Sikh’ Milkha Singh himself questioned the government’s decision of presenting Bharat Ratna to Sachin first and not Dhyan Chand.

Milkha Singh

‘The Flying Sikh’ Milkha Singh’s unparallel contribution to Indian athletics is extremely underrated. He was the pioneer in the region of track and field sprint. He was awarded the Padma Shree in 1959 after his stupendous performance in the 1958 Commonwealth Games. Milkha currently runs a charitable trust that goes by his name, which helps poor and needy sportsperson find better oppurtunities to hone their skills.

Vishwanathan Anand

Five times World Champion and undisputed World Champion from 2007 to 2013, Vishwanathan Anand has brought plenty of laurels to the nation. The Indian Chess grandmaster is adored by millions not only for his success but for his disciplined and humble nature. Vishy has brought India on the map of Chess. Anand, who started playing chess at the young age of six, won National Sub-Junior Chess Championship as a teenager and from there on, it was no stopping him. He dominated the world of chess for more than a decade and won most of the major civilian awards except the big one. So, chances are he is on the hot list of the government to grab the ultimate prize.

Balbir Singh

Overshadowed by the likes of Dhyan Chand, Balbir Singh was the second generation of the finest hockey players India produced. Post independence, Balbir and his men made sure that the legacy of Dhyan Chand is continued. The free Indian side won three Olympic gold medals back to back (1948, 1952 and 1956). Post the Olympic success, the joy ride continued in the 1958 and 1962 Asian games where Balbir and his men won silverware.

PT Usha

The world selfless is synonymous to Pilavullakandi Thekkeparambil Usha. Usha is an Indian track and field athlete who has spent all her life representing India in various international events. The list of achievements is huge – if you decide to pen down her accolades, it will take you forever. She was awarded the Padma Shree and Arjuna Award in 1984 for her double silverware achievement in the 1982 Asian Games. She was one of the first female track sprinter to achieve this feat.